James Chai

Politics in the time of corona

Politics in the time of corona

COMMENT | We need strong leadership, swift action, and seven seas of trust and cooperation.

Mahathir’s last go-round

Mahathir’s last go-round

COMMENT | 'Every politician wants to claim they hold the key to the masses.'

Kimanis was more than a by-election

Kimanis was more than a by-election

COMMENT | Genuine worries of the people may bring back the federal gov't defeated in GE14 – simply because there is no other credible alternative.

Blaming the poor again

Blaming the poor again

COMMENT | Attributing blame on the poor is dangerous if this myth and stereotype feed into policy thinking.

Three good stories of 2019

Three good stories of 2019

COMMENT | There are Malaysians who are doing important work, who are courageous in the face of challenges, who persevere for the love of the nation.

The lionheart of Universiti Malaya

The lionheart of Universiti Malaya

COMMENT | And now, the weight of the state machinery is coming down on this young critical thinker!

How to love Malaysia

How to love Malaysia

COMMENT | Malaysia is a tough country to love. But she is the only one I know.

The resolve of Lim Kit Siang

The resolve of Lim Kit Siang

COMMENT | He is a statesperson who sees the struggle for a better nation as a lifelong struggle, without self.

Declaring assets with God's will

Declaring assets with God's will

COMMENT | Do you trust politicians? Or see them as the number one enemies of integrity?

A push for PM's Question Time

A push for PM's Question Time

COMMENT | The PMQT will be a bonus, for it will bring into effect a structure of parliamentary accountability.

Thank you, Lee Chong Wei

Thank you, Lee Chong Wei

He unites the country everytime he steps onto the badminton court.

One-man rule in MACC appointment

One-man rule in MACC appointment

COMMENT | The main concern with Latheefa Koya's appointment is not the outcome, but how the prime minister is making more decisions without consultation.

A man of history

A man of history

COMMENT | History determines how you think and knowing the past will help you know where you are going.

Why does Najib want to debate, now?

Why does Najib want to debate, now?

COMMENT | He who has refused to debate many times before now wants to, strangely, with Lim Kit Siang.

Umno is not the Malays, the Malays are not Umno

Umno is not the Malays, the Malays are not Umno

COMMENT | Umno is just another political party. It does not carry the burden of the entire race on its shoulders.

Why Tengku Maimun matters

Why Tengku Maimun matters

COMMENT | Her appointment as Chief Justice of Malaysia is a big deal.

The government is still strong

The government is still strong

COMMENT | It's fall in popularity can be seen as a natural readjustment or normalisation.

Keeping the old in Kampung Baru

Keeping the old in Kampung Baru

COMMENT | Given our disturbing record of being unappreciative of history, any redevelopment plan for Kampung Baru cannot be pursued with an overzealous mindset.

Losing Rantau again and again

Losing Rantau again and again

COMMENT | The elephant in the room is how poorly the Harapan gov’t is managing the economy.

Najib deserves a fair trial

Najib deserves a fair trial

COMMENT | The most important reason for a fair trial is to ensure our society believes in justice again.

Losing Nurul Izzah to principles

Losing Nurul Izzah to principles

COMMENT | She has a bright political future and a household name, but she chooses the path less travelled.

Why Najib keeps delaying his trials

Why Najib keeps delaying his trials

COMMENT | It’s obvious what Najib is trying to accomplish: do whatever it takes to avoid prison.

The quiet power of Mat Hasan

The quiet power of Mat Hasan

COMMENT | As acting president, Mat Hasan has orchestrated successes when many imagined the Umno struggle to be a hopeless cause.

Najib's trolley problem

Najib's trolley problem

COMMENT | Will he drag just Umno along with him? Or the whole of Malaysia?